Is signing high-priced talent the key to winning the Grey Cup? Not really

By KIRK PENTON, QMI Agency

Argos linebacker Brandon Isaac. (JACK BOLAND/QMI Agency)

A quick glance at CFL free agency over the years suggests what you do in February doesn't always translate into success in November.

It can help, sure, but it's not the end-all be-all when it comes to constructing a winner. Just ask Toronto Argonauts GM Jim Barker, who made just two moves in free agency last February and ended up with a Grey Cup ring nine months later.

"I don't believe you build teams in free agency," Barker said Monday. "You augment. You add a guy here, and you add a guy there."

And you will need to get out the wallet if you do decide to dip into the free-agent pool.

"You look for specific pieces, and you probably will overpay for them," Barker said. "I know that if we sign players in free agency that we will overpay for them."